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Dr. W.F. (Wim) Duisenberg - Hoofdinhoud

President of the European Central Bank at time of the introduction of the euro, hence dubbed 'Mister Euro'. Duisenberg was a figure of great authority in international politics and finance. Prior to his appointment at the ECB Duisenberg had served as president of the Dutch National Bank and, in the late seventies, as minister of Finance. Duisenberg also served two short terms in the Dutch parliament and for a few years became vicepresident of one of the largest Dutch banks.

Duisenberg is remembered as a calm and realistic man working hard to combine his progressive ideals with the at times harsh reality and constraints of financial and monetary politics. He did so as minister of Finance, and again as president of the ECB where he proved himself an adament defender of a politically independant central bank.

5.

Selection of additional functions

member of the SER (Social-Economic council), appointed by H.M. the Queen from 1982 to July 1st 1997

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board member BIS (Bank for International Settlement), January 1982 to 1997

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various memberships of the executive or supervisory board of larger Dutch companies

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chair of several civil society organisations in a wide range of fields of expertise

6.

Selected political achievements

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As minister devised a system by which Dutch public debt was linked to employment figures and economic growth, the '1 percent norm'. One of its primary goals was to ensure the average employed person could enjoy a near constant rise in real income

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Made several (failed) attempts to regulate specific aspects of the financial sector such as rules on invest banking and corporate taxation

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Under his supervision and that of his junior minister the Postbank, a national bank, was privatised

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Guided regulation on the use of scriptural trading in stock trade through parliament

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Become known as 'Mister Euro' as he led the European Central Bank and its predecessor in the transition from national currency to the euro in 2002 in twelve of the member states of the European Union

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His funeral underlined the stature Duisenberg had accrued as politician and key figure in European monetary affairs. Prior to the funeral itself a commemoration was held, which was attended by prince Willem-Alexander, the Dutch prime minister and several members of his government, the president of the European Commission and a host of other dignitaries

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After his death the 'Duisenberg School of Finance' was established, stating they will work along the lines of Duisenbergs' conviction and promote 'thoughtful financial leadership'